Bone on bone thumbs

@lioness, I have to apologize for not seeing this discussion right away. I would like to invite @stoney, @maplegrove and @var122 to share their experiences with being bone on bone in the thumb. Although a few discussed having thumb joint replacements to fix the issue, they may be able to provide some insight on what it was like before the surgery and will likely know what you are experiencing.

@lioness, since your rheumatologist refused to give you your injection this time around, was another treatment option discussed?

Justin McClanahan no she didn't and 2yrs ago she was njected my right thumb so don't be understand I saw my PCP and told her she is sending me to an Orthopedic Dr I did have xrays on Wed. Id like to hear of anyone else who has this problem Thank you Justin.

Hello Lioness, I had bone on bone in the first metacarpal joint (thumb) of both hands. The injections are never going to give you back the cartilage you've lost. This is why I felt I had to go through with the joint replacement. I'm 10 months and 6 months post-op. Still in pain but hopefully things will improve the more I work on strength and flexibility.

@stoney thanks for replying my last injection on Left thumb lasted along time Im afraid to have surgery look at you still in pain Does the Dr send you to therapy after surgery?

Yes, Lioness, there was quite a bit of therapy. It's a tough program. I am currently 60 years old. If I were a bit younger, I probably would have healed faster. If the injections are working for you, you are probably not as far gone as I was. I would stick with the least invasive solution. If you care to talk about it, I can provide you with my number.

@stoney thank you for your reply I think I will stay with injections if I can find a Dr that will do them Im not in favor of surgery if I can avoid it I will Dr gave me Lidocane gel for thumbs for time being but waiting to hear from orthopedic dr.

I've been having injections in both thumbs approx. every 4 months for 5 years. Bone on bone from arthrisits. I am a legal assistant and play the piano. Last injection to rt. thumb was 2 months ago and a flare-up two days ago was the worst yet. Pain/swelling advanced into my wrist and I could not relieve the pain without total immobilization of my lower rt. arm. Ortho injected and relief was almost immediate. I see a surgeon in two days.
I need to work another 7 years. Will this surgery put an early end to that?

@rockynrob I was just to my orthopedic the other day I have bone n bone in thumbs since 2007 had the inj in both but Dr told me when its bad he,ll inj but in meantime use hand sp!ints at night make sure you get splint for thumbs also ordered me Volteran cream its anti inflammatory I drink ginger-Tumeric tea its anti-inflammatory try not to have surgery if you can. Best of luck.

@rockynrob I also use turmeric ginger tea and the Voltaren gel. Works great for me! I can’t take any anti inflammatory orally because of kidney disease so Voltaren was a great option. It is only available with a prescription. I was originally getting injections in both my shoulder and fingers until that quit working.

Thanks. Yes I have used Voltaren as my first line of defense where anti-inflammatories are concerned for about five years as well. I've heard variations of doctors not wanting you to have the injections and use the Voltaren at the same time but I do it when is necessary.